Mary's Contest Journey- Overcoming Life's Biggest Challenge!

Mary’s Contest Journey
As told by Mary Newton


My name is Mary Newton. I recently took fourth place in the masters 50+ at the Excalibur in culver city. I am 52 years old! I am thrilled to have placed in a fierce show as my competition was very worthy!! Those fifty year olds were HOT!

I met Nancy in 2008. I had become interested in competing. I had gotten into working out and had lost some weight. I had done a show prior to meeting Nancy. I was TERRIBLE. To stringy, awkward, and not very confident! I had never done anything like this! They had nothing like this when I was younger… I married young got into my hairdressing career and I am mother of a son and daughter that are now grown. I currently own my own hair salon. I had always loved challenges and the thought that competing, the pretty suit (with bling no doubt) the cut body, grace and poise intrigued me! So I signed up!

I did 2 more shows and Nancy guided me! She literally taught me how to walk in the heels, how to eat. She monitored my diet, my posing and would listen to me weekly…. I had many insecurities. I learned SO much. She counseled me…. Helped me with confidence building. I felt like a fish out of water, yet I was VERY determined! I didn’t place in either show…. Still had work to do! Little did I know, the lessons I would learn were more than placing in any competition. They were lessons I used to get me through the biggest challenge of my life.

That year I was in the BEST shape! My diet was clean! I continued my workouts and my healthy lifestyle. I knew I had more work to do as far as competing. Life was busy. That September life as I knew it changed. My 23 year old daughter had a lump on her neck. It was thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove her thyroid and currently is doing fantastic. The end of the year came and I saw my mother that Christmas for the last time as I always had known her. She became I’ll and two days later went to the hospital where she would spend her last 6 weeks. If life was not stressful enough I went in for my yearly mammogram that January. February 2, 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mom died on the 7th. I underwent a mastectomy . I felt numb. I learned the week after the surgery that the cancer (stage 2) had traveled to my lymphatic system. Damn it…. I had to have chemotherapy. As part of my treatment. It was determined I would have four rounds! (I was again lucky)

Oh no!!! I was about to lose my HAIR! And I did! Very humbly. Well I’m here to tell you the lessons!!! A healthy lifestyle is your best friend. I worked out all the way through! At least if it was only cardio. I couldn’t do upper body for some time so I did what I could. I put my do rag on and dragged my butt to the gym everyday! I was VERY lucky. The chemo didn’t make me physically sick. They have wonderful anti nausea medications that worked well for me. I kept up with my diet by eating clean. It wasn’t easy but doable. I had to keep my salon running. No disability for self employed people. I bought wigs that were cute. Not fun to be bald and be a hairdresser. I sucked it up. Oh believe me, I cried MANY tears. I’ve always been a bit competitive and I wasn’t going to let cancer win if I had ANY control at all!


Time has passed! Just about 3 years! After treatment I went through another year of reconstructive surgery! I’ve learned time is your friend! Hair grew back. I have reconstructive new breasts! I am happy to now be competing in figure! I’m a lot calmer about being on stage now! I still am working on stage fright! But through the journey I’m able to accept myself better. I’m not nearly as hard on myself. Yes, I’m still working on that walk! Always trying to improve! But I wear my scares with pride. Those scares represent life! New beginnings! To me life is about reinventing and NEVER giving up!!

Nancy had written….sometimes when you win, you lose–and sometimes, when you lose–you win! I really get that now. Sometimes good things come in not so pretty packages. That’s how I feel about my cancer. I’ve really learned so much about the human spirit! If there is something you want to do… DO it! The sky is still the limit as long as you accept yourself and work hard! My key for success is my healthy lifestyle. Nancy, my coach is a very strong lady. She has helped me to accept myself! She is STRONG and supportive. I’m happy to know her! Well a new year is upon us! Thinking about doing a few more shows! And my new goal is…. Have some fun with it!!!!

More testimonials for my newest eBook

I had the pleasure of working with Nancy Georges as I was prepping for a show in 2010and reading this book made me feel like Nancy was right there with me once again; walking me through the dieting basics and helping me to mentally balance myself and overcome my body image issues.

This book is not only a healthy and detailed guideline for how and what to eat but it challenges us to evaluate ourselves to get to the heart of our goals and body image. The most powerful section to me was the part that asked “do you think it’s possible to be happy and strong and beautiful without having to look a certain way”. What a great question to ask oneself and a great way to delve into yourself and understand your own issues that are holding back positive self thought. When I got to the part that suggested making a list of goals that have nothing to do with looks, it hit home. I struggle with my body image constantly although I am healthier now than I have ever been. But having a book on hand that I can go to and re-read and reinforce the positive thinking and realizations that I have had is so valuable. Many things I read were exactly what I needed to hear, and I’ve done 3 shows! I can imagine how insightful it would be to someone who has never worked with Nancy personally.

This book is motivating and uplifting and I love how it differentiates between lifestyle and diet. Working with Nancy she would always tell me that maintenance CAN be progress and that maintenance IS success. Maintenance is your lifestyle which is something I didn’t understand. I had a hard time coming off contest diets and going into a lifestyle because I felt it was all or nothing as far as food and eating. This book clearly defines the difference, the uses for each and what types of food are needed. I feel like I can turn to this book at any time either before or after a contest to get some refreshers to keep me mentally healthy.

Another thing I enjoyed is how much this book relates to the struggles the majority of women have in comparing themselves to other women and their own body image issues. I feel like this book gave me the tools to work through those issues in a positive and proactive way. If I feel like I’m having a moment of weakness or feeling negative thoughts, I can turn to the book and find the appropriate chapter and feel the motivation wash over me. Reading Nancy’s experiences in print modeling and her suggestion of saying to yourself “I want to look like her but with my structure” really puts body image in perspective. So many times I’ve compared myself to other women whom I will never look like because our genetics are different and I’ve fought many internal battles berating myself that I was a failure because I could never attain a certain look. I have learned that I can’t be someone I’m not. I can’t be 6ft tall no matter how hard I try. But I can look my best for MY body and that’s what this book teaches.

Thank you Nancy for writing a book that felt like it was designed just for me and for the issues I am facing!

Nicole Snell

Testimonials for The Dieter's Guide To Successful Self Coaching

I thought it was a good idea. I thought that people needed the information, but I was not really sure until I started receiving orders for the eBook the very first day, and getting feedback and testimonials right away. I am so thrilled to have created an eBook with valuable information that will help people to help take control of their own fitness program in a way that works best for them. Here is what Jen has to say about The Dieter’s Guide To Successful Self Coaching:

As I was reading the book, I kept thinking to myself ‘did she write this AFTER talking to me??’ I’m sure I won’t be the only person who thinks this. If you’ve ever struggled with your self-esteem or a diet, then this book is right up your ally and you will be thinking the same thing I did…”how does she know what I’m thinking?!” What I loved most about reading this book is that it’s totally straightforward, no nonsense. It’s just like when you talk to or work with Nancy; laid back, but absolutely to the point.

This book is full of things that you know, but that you just ignore. It’s good to be reminded, and put the tips to use. I know the things I’ve been doing are not working for a reason…I’m ignoring what I know. But after reading this book, it has reminded me of things that were effective for me in the past, and I will be utilizing again.

Nancy makes many great points, two of my favorites are ‘use yourself as a role model’ and ‘visualize.’ I’m so happy I read this book, and to have refreshed my memory on what works and why. It was a fast easy read and helped reaffirm my motivation. Thank you Nancy!

Jen Rish
Sherman Oaks, CA

New eBook- The Dieter's Guide To Successful Self Coaching

I am very excited about my newest eBook: The Dieter's Guide To Successful Self Coaching. I have been coaching for many years and one of the things that I stress to my clients is being self sufficient. In my new eBook, I will help you to customize a program specific to your needs, using the same philosophy that I use in my own training as well as my clients.

Here is a glimpse of some of what you will learn in my new eBook The Dieter's Guide To Successful Self Coaching:

*The ten principles of effective nutritional planning and self coaching.

*How to increase self discipline.

*How to enhance positive self body image.

*How to distinguish the difference between diet and lifestyle, as well as practical applications for both.

*How to create a customized nutrition program that works for you.

*How to use the power of self regulation.

*How to successfully utilize the concept of role models without feeling defeated, overwhelmed, or less than perfect.

*How to set realistic and achievable goals while still maintaining a BIG vision for your future.

*How to increase your focusing abilities.

*How to prepare your food for success.

*How to stay dedicated and inspired until you reach your goal.

*How to structure your nutrition plan: Includes worksheets, dieting profiles, lifestyle profiles, sample diet outlines and progress checks.

The eBook is available for immediate download, so you can be working on your nutrition plan in a matter of minutes.

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Do you know what you are eating?

I am going to be talking about our health and wellness starting with the food we put in our mouths. What is at stake here, is our futures! The future of food is at risk. You might think I am kidding, I could hardly believe it myself when I first learned of the news I am about to share with you, and maybe you already know.

As fitness enthusiasts we are deeply concerned with the ingredients we put into our bodies. Admittedly often times it is for appearance's sake rather than for the sake of our health. But the fact remains, being healthy is a wonderful byproduct of our obsessive focus on looking good.

Do you remember the moment that you realized there was no such thing as Santa Clause? (don't let your kids read this) Your hopes and dreams of the man watching your every move and showering you with gifts based on your naughty or niceness shattered. You know the feeling you get when you think the world is one way and you find out the truth of the way that it actually is?

Recently I have been hit with such a blow. Now I am not a political activist, or a tree hugging granola type. But recently I have been informed of a truth that is so big I can hardly believe that being a fitness professional and a food nutritionist that I was not aware of it. This hard truth is that of genetically modified foods. When I first heard someone yammering on about it, I brushed them off. I thought, ok, here is one more complainer who just can't seem to be happy in life looking for something to cry about. But two movies changed my mind completely and they are Food Inc. and The Future of Food. Both movies speak about genetically modified food and the power that Monsanto has over our entire corn and soy industry (for now) by our government giving them a patent on genetically modified corn and soy. They have other patents pending on food. One company has a patent on a terminator gene that will chemically modify the seed so that once it is planted only once, the seed will die. Now the problem with patenting corn is that you know how seeds spread? Well if you are a farmer and somehow this genetically modified seed gets into your crops, then guess who is going to get sued? That is right, you the farmer. Unspeakable! Farmers are being sued for their crops being infested with genetically modified corn. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

I will hope that you will watch both of these movies for several reasons. What we eat has been packaged to look pretty, but the way it is processed is nothing but pretty. For example, they throw cute little chicks and put them in a dark room for 40 days and feed them as much as they can, with no light and they are all on top of each other, and of course guess what they are eating? That's right, gmo corn. The cows too. They actually cut openings in the side of the cow so they can see the cows digest their food to make sure they don't have ecoli bacteria. I will leave my story at that, and if you are compelled to watch either movie, please do so.

My take away from these movies was one very strong statement, that being when we think that we can do nothing about something, such as the case with Monsanto and any other company that gets a patent on genetically modified food for that matter, when we go to the store, we are voting. When we buy from our local farmers market and local butcher that raises free range chickens and grass fed cows, we are voting. We can make a difference by being more aware of what we are putting into our bodies and demanding to know the truth before we just blindly eat without thinking of the consequences. There was a powerful statement in the end of The Future of Food where the narrator said: "It is up to you." It gave me goose bumps, knowing that I do have the power, and have choice. I take that very seriously, and I hope you will too.

www.thefutureoffood.com
www.foodincmovie.com

NEW- Releasing The Diet Drama- Hypnosis Session

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Hi Everyone! I am so excited to finally have out the hypnosis compliment to my popular E-book, Releasing The Diet Drama. You don't have to be a competitor to enjoy this session, you will love it just by having challenges with food that you want to overcome. Here is some more info about it:

Releasing The Diet Drama- MP3 Hypnosis Session
Running time: 24 minutes
Format: MP3 Download

Releasing The Diet Drama Hypnosis Session is a compliment to Nancy's E-Book- Releasing The Diet Drama. The session includes relaxing but effective suggestions for creating the changes you desire with your nutrition program. It includes techniques for understanding the messages of your conflicting eating behaviors as well as positive affirmations and visualizations in order to most effectively integrate the changes you desire.

Although Releasing The Diet Drama E-book is for Figure Competitors, the companion hypnosis session can be used by anyone who desires a better relationship with food as well as positive changes in behaviors and thinking patterns.

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The problem with will power.

Will power, positive thinking, affirmations, mental mantras, this all seems like a good thing doesn't it? Indeed positive self talk and will power are important, however the problem with will power alone is that it does not sustain itself over time and automatically. In the fight between will power and imagination, imagination will always win. When you say a positive affirmation to yourself that you don't truly believe you are subconsciously saying to yourself something to the effect of "who are you kidding, you can't really do this" but you keep saying to yourself that you can, this in and of itself will prove to be a futile effort. That is why when using will power alone to stay on a diet, it will necessarily fail. So what can you do to make all of those dreams of yours a reality? Here is how:

The way to reprogram your subconscious mind is by utilizing positive imagery that has an emotional charge. Using your imagination, and creativity along with setting realistic goals that create gradual change over time, you will no longer be monkeying inside of your mind with mental jargons of self doubt. When you find yourself doubting yourself, take a step back and focus on a smaller more realistic goal for the time being, keep in mind the long term goal that you will eventually achieve. This will set yourself up for creative imaginative thoughts that will inspire you and get you to where you are going.

In the case of health and fitness, for example don't focus on the foods that you cannot eat, focus on the goals that you have of why it is so important for you to look and feel a certain way. If you are still not inspired, you need to work on the dream, the goal, and the fantasy. You need to create a goal that is so interesting and so compelling that the thought of it will make your journey easy and successful.

One of the first things we do in hypnotherapy is find out what it is specifically that you want and also how your life will be better once you have that. Then we create a visual and auditory symphony in your brain that the road to your goals seems effortless.

So if you are finding yourself struggling with any goal, whether it be dropping weight, excelling at a sport, feeling calm and relaxed, or becoming a non smoker, get back to the drawing board and focus on goals that will stimulate you to where it becomes so easy you will be amazed and delighted at how simple achieving your goal is. So if you are still bent on practicing will power, then use your will power to be creative and create a goal that will excite you. Without that, will power alone will make it a long and troublesome road ahead. With creativity AND willpower, now you are so set for success that people around you will drop their jaw at how easy you achieve the things that you want.